Job: Property developer (director of operations) at ICD Property.

My job in a nutshell: Property development is a lengthy and complicated process, which generally starts from site acquisition followed by obtainment of council and planning permits, marketing and presales, construction, and finally completion and settlement. Depending on the project size it could take two years up to four or five years. It requires a lot of patience [as] it's a long-term commitment; my role oversees the whole process.

How did you start out?

I secured a role as a research assistant while I was at university doing engineering. I liked it as a career path; my role now involves a lot of project management, which I also studied at university.

A great day is: In property development time is money, so a great day would be when all projects are running to schedule or, if not, ahead of time.

A challenging day is: One filled with meetings and more meetings — leaving me no time to do strategy and planning. My role involves being in constant communication with a lot of people — there are lots of meetings! Extreme weather days also hard — they can delay projects — it's something we can't control.

I'll never forget ... When I was attending a two-day long VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) hearing on a planning application for our very first project. The local council had refused it but I was over the moon when VCAT approved it at the end of the hearing; it's like winning a court case.

Most people don't know: A lot of success in property development happens during the first half of the project, when we apply for planning permits and are also focused on getting enough presales to get the project funded.